25 of the best Irish charities to start fundraising for
Choosing the right Irish charity to fundraise for is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when setting up a fundraiser. Whether it’s a fun run, brave the shave, celebrating the memory of a lost loved one, or a birthday, one of the biggest questions people have when setting up a charity fundraiser is who to give to. This list of the best charities in Ireland is here to help.
Ireland loves making a difference – and that’s why we’ve narrowed down the choices by collecting 25 of the most popular charities in the country. We chose these charities because they’re well-liked, accountable, and support great causes. When you’re ready to go, GoFundMe makes it easy with transparent, direct giving that everyone can feel confident supporting.
Finding the right charity for you
The real question when it comes to giving isn’t why, but who? Choosing a charity is a hugely personal decision. Start by thinking about the causes closest to your heart. For example, are you an animal person? Or have you experienced illnesses such as dementia in your family and want to help others in the same position? Or do you want to protect the environment? To help you make a difference, we have selected some of the 25 best Irish charities to start fundraising for below. Each one represents a hugely important cause.
Understanding Irish charity regulation and transparency
Ireland’s charity regulator ensures charity accountability by monitoring compliance and carrying out investigations. In order to be registered with the Charities Regulator, charities must implement a plan that ensures they abide by the Charities Governance Code.
You can search the Public Register of Charities on their website, and if the charity is registered, you can learn detailed information, including trustees and the number of employees, as well as their current compliance status.
How to choose the right charity for your fundraiser
Picking the right charity can feel overwhelming but we’re here to help. Follow these steps to identify the cause and charity that’s right for you and check out our fundraising tips for more help.
1. Identify your passion
Think about what issues matter to you. It might be the environment, mental health, homelessness or animals. Then find some charities that support these issues. If you can’t choose, you can always fundraise for multiple charities, or find a charity that supports multiple causes, for example, homelessness and children, or animals and the environment.
2. Research the charity’s impact
Find out more about the impact of your chosen charities. How many people do they help? What’s their track record? Make sure to check that they are registered with the Charities Regulator.
3. Check their website for fundraising materials
Some charities, including many of those listed in this guide, offer resources like fundraising packs and guidance to individuals. This can be extremely helpful, especially if it’s your first time running a fundraiser.
4. Consider your fundraising method
A great way to ensure a successful fundraiser is to align your method with your cause. For example, you could run a pet photo contest for an animal welfare charity or host a mental health awareness event for a distress helpline.
5. Set a realistic goal
Setting a realistic goal is crucial for successful fundraising. Check to see if your chosen charity has suggested fundraising targets. This helps manage expectations both for yourself and for donors who may be more likely to donate if they think the target is within reach.
What are the best charities to donate to in Ireland
1. Irish Cancer Society
Founded in 1963, the Irish Cancer Society provides support to all types of people dealing with cancer. It describes itself as “a community of patients, survivors, volunteers, supporters, health and social care professionals and researchers…transforming the experiences and outcomes of people affected by cancer through our advocacy, support services and research.”
2. The Irish Heart Foundation
The Irish Heart Foundation is a charity founded in 1966 and based in Dublin. It runs support groups for patients who have had heart problems or strokes and campaigns on public health issues that affect the risk of heart disease and stroke. They aim to “eliminate preventable death and disability from heart disease and stroke” and provide support for people living with these diseases all across the country.
3. Pieta House
Since opening in 2006, Pieta House has helped over 60,000 people in suicidal distress or engaging in self-harm.
They now operate 20 locations across Ireland and employ over 200 therapists and support staff. The charity provides free counselling to those with suicidal ideation, those engaging in self-harm, and those bereaved by suicide. Staff are fully qualified and provide a professional one-to-one therapeutic service.
4. Ronald McDonald House Charities
Ronald McDonald provides accommodation and a caring, supportive environment for families whose children are undergoing medical treatment at CHI at Crumlin. Founded in the USA in 1974, RMHC’s Irish charity has been running since 2004. They aim to keep families together in times of great distress.
5. Sightsavers
Every day, around the world, children go blind from illnesses that are entirely preventable. Sightsavers Ireland is an international organisation that works with partners in more than 30 countries to try to stop this from happening. Across the world, Sightsavers say 12 million people are blind because of cataracts when an operation that costs about €34 could save their sight. Since 1950, they’ve completed over 12.3 million sight-saving operations around the world. Whether you fancy running a marathon, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, a tandem skydive, or something slightly more relaxing, you can start fundraising for them on GoFundMe today.
6. CRBI
The Community Rescue Boats Ireland (CRBI) saves lives at sea. It is a nationwide network of independent voluntary rescue boats administered by Water Safety Ireland, operating 24/7 as a declared Coast Guard resource. There are hundreds of RNLI fundraising branches that support a particular station or project. Their boats operate around the clock, assisting the coast guard and responding to emergencies in their area. They are always looking for members of the public to get involved with giving. They even suggest creative fundraising ideas like hosting your own pirate day to raise cash.
7. Irish Red Cross
It doesn’t matter who or where you are, if you’re in crisis, the Irish Red Cross will help you. Founded in 1939, The Irish Red Cross is the Irish body of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. They are currently running fundraisers to help people in Gaza and Ukraine, refugees from around the world, plus an ongoing crisis fund for those in Ireland. Red Cross suggest you get involved through volunteering, donating, or organising a sponsored silence to raise money.
8. Samaritans
As well as providing dedicated, round-the-clock support for those who need it most on the phone, the Samaritans work within communities to raise awareness of mental health issues. In 2024, they answered more than 60 calls an hour.
Founded in 1953, they are always looking for volunteers if you want to donate time, and encourage those looking to fundraise to get in touch and let them know about their plans.
9. Save the Children
Founded in 1919, Save the Children works in more than 50 countries around the world to fight for children’s rights in some of the hardest places to be a child. They work to improve lives through education and healthcare, as well as providing relief at times of crisis. Tough Mudder, an endurance event series that requires some serious preparation, is a popular choice of fundraiser promoted by the charity. But if you’re looking for a slightly less rigorous challenge, you could try a 10k charity run like previous GoFundMe users.
10. Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC)
Founded in 1889, the ISPCC works to protect children and prevent child abuse. They publish guides about how to keep children safe, the signs of child abuse, and have a 24-hour service to help if you’re worried about a child’s safety. Between October 2023 and September 2024, they answered over 77,000 calls and responded to over 32,000 live chats.
11. Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA)
The ISPCA is Ireland’s biggest animal welfare charity, and it works tirelessly to secure the safety and welfare of animals. Founded in 1949, they help animals find loving homes and investigate (and help prosecute) claims of animal abuse. They are also looking for volunteers who can make a practical difference to the lives of animals across Ireland. As for fundraising ideas, what about a pet photo contest or pet wash?
12. Christian Aid Ireland
The official relief and development agency of 41 British and Irish churches, much of Christian Aid’s fundraising work coincides with major Christian festivals such as Christmas, Lent, and Easter. The charity works globally to support sustainable development, stop poverty, support civil society, and provide disaster relief in South America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia, including the Middle East. They offer lots of fundraising ideas on their website.
13. Irish Wildlife Trust
The Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT) aims to conserve wildlife and the habitats they depend on throughout Ireland while encouraging a greater understanding and appreciation of the natural world and the need to protect it. The Irish Wildlife Trust was founded in 1979 as a non-governmental organisation and charity.
14. UNICEF Ireland
Founded in 1946, UNICEF’s catchphrase, ‘For Every Child In Danger’, says it all: they aim to change policies and practices that are detrimental to children’s rights in Ireland and internationally. The organisation upholds the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and raises funds for worldwide emergency and development work.
15. Marie Keating Foundation
Following their mother Marie’s death from breast cancer in 1998, the Keating family promised to provide the people of Ireland with vital information, advice and support on the signs and symptoms of cancer and help to prevent cancer or detect it at its earliest stages. The Foundation’s mission is to make cancer less frightening by enlightening, and their aim is to live in a world free from the fear of cancer.
16. Dublin Simon Community
Since 1969, The Dublin Simon Community has helped people to access and retain a home by providing housing, prevention, addiction treatment, emergency response and other targeted interventions, through advocacy and partnership. One of the best charities to donate to in Ireland, they help over 7600 people each year across the country with outposts in Kildare, Wicklow, Meath, Louth, Cavan, Monaghan and of course, Dublin.
17. Mary’s Meals
€22 is all it costs to feed a child for a whole school year through Mary’s Meals. Founded in 2002, Mary’s Meals provides life-changing meals to some of the world’s poorest children every day they attend school. Globally, Mary’s Meals serves over 2 million meals per day.
18. Alzheimer’s Society
One of Ireland’s biggest dementia charities, the Alzheimer’s Society helps fund groundbreaking research, support centres, advice, and works to help those with dementia and their families. Founded in 1979, the Alzheimer’s Society promise that every penny pledged will help them support those with dementia and their families, which may be why they are such a popular choice for GoFundMe users. Previous fundraisers include movie nights, charity skydives, and sponsored runs.
19. Médecins Sans Frontières (IE)
Founded in 1971 and also known as Doctors Without Borders, the IE entity of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) work to send medical teams where they’re needed most after natural disasters and in conflict zones or epidemics. MSF are currently working in Afghanistan, Yemen, with refugees crossing the Mediterranean Sea, and with the Rohingya people.
20. Feileacain
Statistics show that one in four women will lose a baby during pregnancy and childbirth.
Feileacain offers support to anyone affected by the death of a baby around the time of birth, and the organisation is now the national charity supporting families affected by perinatal loss. Founded by bereaved parents in 2009, Feileacain is a volunteer-led organisation and receives no funding from central government, relying instead on the support of our community and the families who use its services.
21. Laura Lynn
Initially founded in 2003, Laura Lynn’s mission is to provide a Community of Care that delivers evidence-based, personalised services to children with palliative care needs, complex care needs and complex disabilities, while also providing family support services and a home to our residents where quality-of-life is paramount.
22. Dogs Trust Ireland
Because sometimes man’s best friend needs a helping hand, the Dogs Trust offers sponsoring, rehoming and advice to promote the well-being of dogs. Founded in the UK in 1891, the Dublin shelter has been rehoming dogs since 2009. They recommend getting involved by raising money through selling items on eBay, asking friends to sponsor you to stop smoking, or by going on sponsored walks and runs.
23. CDPA
Founded in 1946, the Cat and Dog Protection Association of Ireland (CDPA) focuses on rehoming domestic and feral cats and dogs. Their mission is to promote, provide for and improve the welfare of cats and dogs through education, intervention, and rehabilitation and to prevent cruelty to all animals.
24. Jigsaw
Jigsaw has worked to improve mental health amongst young people in Ireland since 2006. It offers advice and support to people aged between 12 and 25. They have 18 locations across Ireland where they work with young people both online and in-person.
25. Jack and Jill
Founded in 1997, Jack & Jill provides in-home nursing care and respite support for children up to the age of 6, with a range of neurodevelopmental issues including brain injury, genetic diagnosis and severe cerebral palsy. They’ve helped over 3,100 families.
Best Irish charity fundraising resources and support
GoFundMe offers resources and advice to help you run a successful fundraiser.
- Fundraising tips guide
- Fundraising resources hub
- Charity fundraiser email templates
- Mobile app for on-the-go management
Alongside GoFundMe’s tips and resources, many charities also offer fundraising packs, toolkits and guidance. If you can’t find any easily on their website, get in contact with them and see if they can offer you any guidance.
Get fundraising ideas and peer support by exploring GoFundMe’s fundraising communities. Be part of peer support communities and get ideas from successful fundraisers local to you.
Start helping your favourite cause today
Whether you’re passionate about animal welfare, mental health, housing or all of the above, there are plenty of excellent charities in Ireland. And the options for fundraisers are limitless, from skydiving to sponsored silences to head shaving.
You can set up a page in seconds and start fundraising immediately. Our mobile-friendly website and app make it easy to fundraise on the go, with 24/7 support available whenever you need it.
With flexible, transparent, simple fundraising tools, it’s easier than ever to raise money. That’s why thousands of Irish people have already fundraised for these charities via GoFundMe.
Ready to make a difference? Start your fundraiser in seconds – choose your charity, set your goal, and share with friends and family. It’s that simple.